Bill Gillispie of Washington won the unique handcrafted cedar-lined chest awarded December 1 by the Washington Lions Club. Lion President Mary Hubbard made the presentation. A relative newcomer to Washington Wilkes held the winning ticket Monday evening, December 1, when the Washington Lions Club awarded a prized cedar chest as the grand prize in a fund-raising project.

William F. (Bill) Gillispie was declared winner by Lion President Mary Hubbard from among 1,636 entries in a random drawing during the Lions' regular weekly meeting. Gillispie, his wife, Jackie, and their son, Steve, moved to Wilkes County from Florida about three years ago.

They have owned rural property here for some 20 years, primarily for hunting, horseback riding, and other outdoor activities. Their present address is 1184 Danburg Road.

The Gillispies recently bought the former home of the late Grace Hendry in Washington. They expect to move there in January.

The Lions' raffle was highly popular, drawing entries from a wide area, including some from out of state. Besides its intrinsic value, being beautifully made of solid oak and cedar woods, the chest derives added value and special interest from its origin. Amazingly, it was made entirely by Bobby West, a blind veteran who lost his eyesight when he was hit by shrapnel in the Vietnam War. West is a native of Wilkes County and a member of the Washington Lions Club.

West has been in inspiration to many people as he has valiantly worked to overcome his blindness. He and his "seeing-eye" dog, Franklin, move freely around town and he is at ease in his thoroughly professional woodworking shop, with special safety devices installed on the power tools. Not only did West make he prize chest and donate it to the Lions Club for the fund-raiser, he also sold far more tickets than any other member.

"We congratulate our winner and we certainly thank everyone who helped to make our project a great success," Hubbard said. "Proceeds will be used for the Georgia Lions Lighthouse, to provide hearing aids and eyeglasses, and for ongoing projects to support and improve our community. Obviously, without the continued support of all our friends, we could do little. Thank you so much."